Notre Dame CB Khary Adams named 5-star recruit by Rivals

Towson (Md.) Loyola Blakefield cornerback Khary Adams emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the 2026 cycle. He earned his fifth star from Rivals on Tuesday.

Rivals has released its final player rankings for the 2026 recruiting cycle and the Notre Dame signee remained at No. 23. With the final Rivals300 expanding to 32 five-stars, Adams holds his spot as one of the nation’s best.

Rivals’ Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power explained what makes Adams an elite prospect:

“Khary Adams is a well-rounded corner prospect. He has the size and athleticism you look for at the position, but also quality ball skills. He’s a two-way player at the high school level and I think projects as an outside corner, just with what he brings to the table in terms of size, speed and ball skills. We liked what he put on film as a senior. In coverage, I think he showed some improvement there. He’s one who I think has the upside to develop into an impact corner at Notre Dame.”

Notre Dame landed Adams’ pledge on June 20 amidst official visit season. He locked in with Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish, choosing them over the likes of Michigan, South Carolina and Maryland.

“This whole process, Notre Dame has been that one school everyone was up against,” Adams told Rivals. “It was Notre Dame vs. Penn State, then Notre Dame vs. Oregon, so Notre Dame was up there for me from the beginning.

“When I got there on the official, seeing what Notre Dame can do for me outside of football, with the education, I knew it. Learning about the degree, spending time with coach Mickens and just being around the people, I made my mind up. It is a special place.”

Adams’ stock only rose from the summer onward. He continued to make strides up the Rivals300 and has now finished as the No. 3 cornerback in the rankings. He’s also one of four Notre Dame signees featured in the top 32.